Tropicana Evansville posted strong gains in both revenue and visitation last month, while Indiana’s casinos as a group posted declines.
In August Tropicana earned $11 million in revenue from gambling, up 11 percent as compared to August 2013. The casino also had 108,336 visitors, up 10 percent from a year earlier.
“Obviously we’re thrilled with the numbers,” said Stacey McNeill, Tropicana’s marketing director.
The Indiana Gaming Commission’s August 2014 casino revenue report (PDF)
The Indiana Gaming Commission’s August 2013 casino revenue report (PDF)
The Illinois Gaming Board’s August 2014 casino revenue report (PDF)
Taken as a group, Indiana’s casinos saw a combined 1.7 million visitors in August, down 7 percent from a year earlier. The casinos posted a combined $199.5 million in gambling revenue, down 5 percent.
McNeill said Tropicana’s performance is helped by its strong lineup of special events and promotions, its focus on customer service and the continued improvements it is making in its facilities and slot machines.
An example of these improvements: This week, McNeill said, the casino will begin a major renovation of its Cavanaugh’s steak house, located in the Pavilion area adjacent to the casino entrance.
The renovation, McNeill said, will include “all-new everything” including new furnishings, wall coverings and carpeting, along with menu changes.
Cavanaugh’s will keep its name and its steak house theme, she said, and it will remain open during renovations.
In a separate project, Tropicana is also adding a GoYoYo frozen yogurt shop on the first floor of the Pavilion.
Tropicana’s main casino competitors are the French Lick Casino in Southern Indiana and the Harrah’s casino in Metropolis, Illinois.
French Lick’s visitation and gambling revenue were both flat last month. The facility reported 83,572 visitors and $7.1 in revenue from gambling.
Harrah’s Metropolis saw 60,391 visitors last month, up less than half a percent over last August. Its gambling revenue dropped 4 percent, to $7.3 million.